Image forming apparatus and control method for the same

ABSTRACT

For a network printer function and a network scan function, a trial using mode whose use frequency is limited can be set. When the preset trial using mode is finished, the use of the tried function is permitted according to setting of an exclusive key.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is a continuation based upon U.S. applicationSer. No. 11/822,461, filed Jul. 6, 2007, which is a continuation of U.S.application Ser. No. 11/495,529, filed Jul. 31, 2006, which is acontinuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 10/872,473, filed Jun. 22,2004, which claims the benefit of priority from the prior JapanesePatent Application No. 2003-193852 filed on Jul. 8, 2003; the entirecontents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a composite image forming apparatushaving a plurality of functions such as a copying function, a networkscanner function, and a network printer function and a control methodtherefor.

2. Description of the Related Art

There is a composite image forming apparatus having a plurality offunctions such as, in addition to the regular copying function, thenetwork scanner function for externally transmitting an image read by ascanner by attaching it to an electronic mail and the network printerfunction for printing and outputting an image according to an imagesignal input externally.

In such a composite image forming apparatus, the copying function can beused immediately as a standard function. However, the network scannerfunction and network printer function may be permitted to use them underthe condition that a user optionally purchases them when necessary.

However, even if the user optionally purchases the network scannerfunction or network printer function, thereafter he has few chances touse it, thus he may be required for useless expenses.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An object of the present invention is to provide an image formingapparatus giving superior services such that a user can use one or aplurality of functions on trial and can optionally decide optionalpurchase of a desired function on the basis of the use and a controlmethod therefor.

According to the present invention, an image forming apparatus having aplurality of functions is provided and the image forming apparatuscomprises setting means for setting a trial using mode for limiting ause frequency or use days of at least one function among the pluralityof functions; and control means, when the preset trial using modereaches the limited use frequency or the use days or when the trialusing mode is interrupted during the limited use frequency or the usedays, for permitting subsequent use of the tried function according tosetting of an exclusive key.

Furthermore, according to the present invention, a control method for animage forming apparatus having a plurality of functions is provided andthe control method comprises setting a trial using mode for limiting ause frequency or use days of at least one function among the pluralityof functions; and permitting subsequent use of the tried functionaccording to an exclusive key when the preset trial using mode reachesthe limited use frequency or the use days or when the trial using modeis interrupted during the limited use frequency or the use days.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an embodiment of the image formingapparatus of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a plan view schematically showing the constitution of thecontrol panel of the image forming apparatus shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the control circuit of the imageforming apparatus shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a flow chart for explaining the operation of the image formingapparatus shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a plan view showing a display example of the control panelshown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 6 is a plan view showing another display example of the controlpanel shown in FIG. 2; and

FIG. 7 is a plan view showing still another display example of thecontrol panel shown in FIG. 2.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

An embodiment of the present invention will be explained below withreference to the accompanying drawings. As shown in FIG. 1, on the topof main body 1 of the image forming apparatus, document table 2 isinstalled. On document table 2, automatic document feeder 3 including anejection tray is installed so as to be freely opened or closed. In theposition at the same height as that of document table 2, control panel 4shown in FIG. 2 is installed as an operation means for setting operationconditions.

On the lower part of main body 1, paper supply cassettes 5 to 8 storingpapers of various sizes which are image forming media are installed.

On the side of main body 1, USB interface 9 for inserting and connectingprint enable key 11 or scan enable key 12 is installed. Print enable key11 and scan enable key 12 are an exclusive key given from a manufactureror a sales agency to permit use of a function tried. Each exclusive keyhas a built-in memory storing the use-permitted code. Each exclusive keymay be a password given from the manufacturer or sales agency. In thiscase, when the password is input from control panel 4, the triedfunction is permitted to be used.

FIG. 3 shows the control circuit inside main body 1.

Reference numeral 20 indicates a CPU which is a center of control and toCPU 20, decoder 21, RAM 22, ROM 23, counter 24, wave clock 25, panelcontroller 31, copy controller 32, network scanner controller 33,network printer controller 34, and network controller 37.

Decoder 21 reads a code from print enable key 11 or scan enable key 12inserted and connected to USB interface 9 and decodes the code. Thedecoded results are supplied to CPU 20. RAM 22 stores decoding data forthe aforementioned code, preset value N for printing number of times Pwhich will be described later, and preset value S for scanning number oftimes L which will be described later. ROM 23 stores various kinds ofcontrol programs necessary for the operation of main body 1. Counter 24counts printing number of times P and scanning number of times L in thetrial using mode. Wave clock 25 is equipped with antenna 25 a, measuresthe present time, and successively updates the present time by receivinga standard time wave.

Panel controller 31 controls control panel 4. Copy controller 32controls the copy function using scanner 35 and printer 36. Networkscanner controller 33 controls the network scanner function usingscanner 35. Network printer controller 34 controls the network printerfunction (the FAX function included) using printer 36. Networkcontroller 37 controls data transmission and reception from the outsidevia network interface 38.

Network interface 38 includes a LAN board and a FAX modem and isconnected to many personal computers 41 which are user terminals viaexternal communication line 40.

CPU 20 has the next means (1) and (2) as main functions.

(1) A setting means for setting a trial using mode for limiting thetrial frequency (or use days) of at least one function among the networkscanner function and network printer function.

(2) A control means, during or after end of the preset trial using mode,for permitting the subsequent use of the function tried according to thesetting (insertion and connection) of print enable key 11 or scan enablekey 12.

Next, the operation of the aforementioned constitution will be explainedby referring to the flow chart shown in FIG. 4.

When main body 1 is installed and then a request for network print trialis input from control panel 4 (YES at Step 101), the trial using mode ofthe network printer function is started in main body 1 according to theinput (Step 102). The request for network print trial is received byoperation of a serviceman present at the installation.

And, trial preset value N of the network printer function is set to, forexample, 10,000 sheets and printing number of times P of counter 24 isinitialized to 0 (Step 103).

When in the state that print enable key 11 is not set (NO at Step 104),a print instruction is input to main body 1 from personal computer 41via communication line 40 (YES at Step 105), a print operation accordingto an image signal input from personal computer 41 is executed byprinter 36 (YES at Step 106). In correspondence with this printoperation, printing number of times P of counter 24 is incremented by 1(Step 107), and printing number of times P after increment of 1 issubtracted from trial preset value N, and residual trial preset value Eis obtained (Step 108). Obtained residual trial preset value E, as shownin FIG. 5, is displayed in characters in the display area of controlpanel 4 as “Print residual: . . . sheets” (Step 109). When the userlooks at the display, he can confirm residual preset value E of trialnetwork print.

Before residual trial preset value E becomes 0 (NO at Step 110), if inthe print instruction, there are a plurality of print jobs, until allthe print jobs are finished (YES at Step 111), the processes from Step106 to Step 109 are repeated.

Even if residual trial preset value E becomes 0 (YES at Step 110), whenall the print jobs are not finished (NO at Step 112), the processes fromStep 106 to Step 109 are repeated.

When residual trial preset value E becomes 0 or less (YES at Step 110)and all the print jobs are finished (YES at Step 112), the trial usingmode of the network print function is finished. By doing this, as shownin FIG. 6, in the display area of control panel 4, the characters of“Trial using mode end” are displayed (Step 113).

After end of the trial using mode of the network printer function, ifprint enable key 11 is not inserted and connected to USB interface 9 (NOat Step 114), the use of the network printer function is prohibited asit is (Step 115).

After end of the trial using mode of the network printer function, auser desiring use of the network printer function is given print enablekey 11 from a store. In print enable key 11, an identification codeintrinsic to main body 1 is stored together with a printable code as acondition for permitting use. When print enable key 11 is inserted andconnected to USB interface 9 (YES at Step 114), a code is read fromprint enable key 11 and the read code is decoded (Step 116). When thedecoded result coincides with the identification code intrinsic to themain body 1 and the printable code (YES at Step 117), the subsequent useof the network printer function is permitted (Step 118).

During the trial using mode of the network printer function, printenable key 11 may be inserted and connected to USB interface 9 (YES atStep 104). In this case, a code is read from print enable key 11 and theread code is decoded (Step 119). When the decoded result does notcoincide with the identification code intrinsic to the main body 1 andthe printable code (NO at Step 120), the effect of inconsistency isdisplayed in the display area of control panel 4 (Step 121). The userlooking at this display requests to exchange print enable key 11 to aproper one and inserts and connects a new one again to USB interface 9(YES at Step 104).

A code is read and decoded from reset print enable key 11 (Step 119) andwhen the decoded result coincides with the identification code intrinsicto main body 1 and the printable code (YES at Step 120), since printenable key 11 is reset (YES at Step 122), the subsequent use of thenetwork printer function is permitted (Step 118).

When main body 1 is installed and then a request for network scan trialis input from control panel 4 (YES at Step 123), the trial using mode ofthe network scan function is started in main body 1 according to theinput (Step 124). The request for network scan trial is also received byoperation of a serviceman present at the installation.

And, trial preset value S of the network scan function is set to, forexample, 10000 sheets and scanning number of times L of counter 24 isinitialized to 0 (Step 125).

When in the state that scan enable key 12 is not set (NO at Step 104), ascan instruction is input from main body 1 (YES at Step 126), a scanoperation is executed by scanner 35 according to an operation from mainbody 1 of the image forming apparatus (Step 127). In correspondence withthis scan operation, scanning number of times L of counter 24 isincremented by 1 (Step 128), and scanning number of times L afterincrement of 1 is subtracted from trial preset value S, and residualtrial preset value M is obtained (Step 129). Obtained residual trialpreset value M, as shown in FIG. 5, is displayed in the display area ofcontrol panel 4 as “Scan residual: . . . sheets” (Step 130). When theuser looks at the display, he can confirm residual preset value M oftrial network scan.

Before residual trial preset value M becomes “0” (NO at Step 131), if inthe scan instruction, there are a plurality of scan jobs, until all thescan jobs are finished (YES at Step 132), the processes from Step 127 toStep 130 are repeated.

Even if residual trial preset value M becomes 0 (YES at Step 131), whenall the scan jobs are not finished (NO at Step 132), the processes fromStep 127 to Step 130 are repeated.

When residual trial preset value M becomes 0 or less (YES at Step 131)and all the scan jobs are finished (YES at Step 112), the trial usingmode of the network print function is finished. By doing this, as shownin FIG. 6, in the display area of control panel 4, the characters of“Trial using mode end” are displayed (Step 133).

After end of the trial using mode of the network printer function, ifscan enable key 12 is not inserted and connected to USB interface 9 (NOat Step 134), the use of the network scan function is prohibited as itis (Step 135).

After end of the trial using mode of the network scan function, a userdesiring use of the network scan function is given scan enable key 12from a store. In scan enable key 12, an identification code intrinsic tomain body 1 is stored together with a scannable code as a condition forpermitting use.

When scan enable key 12 is inserted and connected to USB interface 9(YES at Step 134), a code is read from scan enable key 12 and the readcode is decoded (Step 136). When the decoded result coincides with theidentification code intrinsic to the main body 1 and the scannable code(YES at Step 137), the subsequent use of the network scan function ispermitted (Step 138).

During the trial using mode of the network scan function, scan enablekey 12 may be inserted and connected to USB interface 9 (YES at Step104). In this case, a code is read from scan enable key 12 and the readcode is decoded (Step 119). When the decoded result does not coincidewith the identification code intrinsic to the main body 1 and thescannable code (NO at Step 120), the effect of inconsistency isdisplayed in the display area of control panel 4 (Step 121). The userlooking at this display requests to exchange scan enable key 12 to aproper one and inserts and connects a new one again to USB interface 9(YES at Step 104).

A code is read and decoded from reset scan enable key 12 (Step 119) andwhen the decoded result coincides with the identification code intrinsicto main body 1 and the printable code (YES at Step 120), since scanenable key 12 is reset (NO at Step 122), the subsequent use of thenetwork scan function is permitted (Step 138).

As explained above, the image forming apparatus has, in addition to thecopy function which can be used regularly, the network print functionand network scan function and a user can use these functions on trial.By doing this, he can sufficiently recognize by his own experiencewhether the respective functions are necessary or not. As a result, onlywhen the user desires to optionally purchase his desired function, printenable key 11 or scan enable key 12 for permitting use of the functionis given, so that efficient business free of disadvantage can beexecuted by a store or a manufacturer supplying main body 1. For theuser, the present invention is economical because he does not need topay a rental fee of a useless function which is not used.

Further, in the aforementioned embodiment, as a limit to the trial usingmode, residual trial printing number of times P or M is decided.However, simultaneously with first print and first scan, time count bymeasurement of the wave clock is started and the elapsed days on thebasis of the time count may be decided as a limit to the trial usingmode. In this case, as shown in FIG. 7, in the display area of controlpanel 4, “Trial term: residual . . . days” is displayed.

Further, in the aforementioned embodiment, the exclusive key having abuilt-in memory storing a use-permitted code is described. However, itmay be a password given from a manufacturer or a sales agent. In thiscase, when this password is input from control panel 4, the use of thefunction tried is permitted.

The present invention is not limited to the aforementioned embodimentitself and in the execution stage, as long as the objects of the presentinvention are accomplished, the components may be modified andmaterialized. Further, by a proper combination of a plurality ofcomponents disclosed in the aforementioned embodiment, variousinventions can be formed. For example, from all the components shown inthe embodiment, some components may be deleted. Furthermore, componentsincluded indifferent embodiments may be properly combined.

As mentioned above, according to the present invention, a plurality offunctions can be used on trial by a user and an image forming apparatusrealizing superior services such that a user can decide to optionallypurchase his desired function on the basis of the use and a controlmethod for it can be provided.

1. A control method for an image forming apparatus having a plurality offunctions, comprising: setting a trial using mode for limiting a periodof use of a network scan function among the plurality of functions;executing a scan operation according to an operation from a main body ofthe image forming apparatus when a scan instruction is input to the mainbody in the state that a scan enable key is not set; finishing the trialusing mode of the network scan function when elapsed days reach thelimited period of use in correspondence with the scan operation; judgingwhether the scan enable key is set or not; and permitting subsequent useof the network scan function when it is judged that the scan enable keyis set after end of the trial using mode and a code read from the scanenable key coincides with an identification intrinsic code.
 2. Thecontrol method according to claim 1, wherein the setting step sets arequest for trial use to a start condition for the trial using mode. 3.The control method according to claim 1, wherein the scan enable keyincludes a use-permitted password and the permitting step, when thepassword is input, permits subsequent use of the tried network scanfunction.
 4. The control method according to claim 1, wherein the scanenable key is a USB type and in which a use-permitted code is stored. 5.The control method according to claim 1, wherein the image formingapparatus has a control panel to display a residual days from thelimited period of use.
 6. An image forming apparatus having a pluralityof functions, comprising: means for setting a trial using mode forlimiting a period of use of a network scan function among the pluralityof functions; means for executing a scan operation according to anoperation from a main body of the image forming apparatus when a scaninstruction is input to the main body in the state that a scan enablekey is not set; means for finishing the trial using mode of the networkscan function when elapsed days reach the limited period of use incorrespondence with the scan operation; means for judging whether thescan enable key is set or not; and means for permitting subsequent useof the network scan function when it is judged that the scan enable keyis set after end of the trial using mode and a code read from the scanenable key coincides with an identification intrinsic code.
 7. Theapparatus according to claim 6, wherein the setting means sets a requestfor trial use to a start condition for the trial using mode.
 8. Theapparatus according to claim 6, wherein the scan enable key includes ause-permitted password and the permitting means, when the password isinput, permits subsequent use of the tried network scan function.
 9. Theapparatus according to claim 6, wherein the scan enable key is a USBtype and in which a use-permitted code is stored.
 10. The apparatusaccording to claim 6 further comprising: means for displaying a residualdays from the limited period of use.